London pupils inspired by the Everlasting Flame at the Brunei Gallery, SOAS

12 December 2013

Pupils from Little Heath School, a special school in the London Borough of Redbridge, were inspired by the Everlasting Flame: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination exhibition at SOAS, University of London’s Brunei Gallery earlier this month.

The exhibition was the starting point for the school to explore Zoroastrianism in such depth for the first time. One of the Little Heath school staff has a Parsi background and this also enriched the theme.

The pupils, aged between 11 and 18 years old, were later tasked with creating a picture using the theme of fire.

Religious Education teacher Anne Krisman said: "The theme of fire immediately connected with the children. Our sixth form's photography work on God's Creations was very beautiful. The idea of the good and bad path produced some deep responses. We were all touched by the uplifting work inspired by the exhibition at the Brunei Gallery."

Odunayo Olopade shows his farvahar symbol

The Brunei Galley manager John Hollingworth added: “We were delighted that staff from the Little Heath School visited The Everlasting Flame. Gallery or museum education is an excellent way of engaging with young people – particularly school pupils. At the Brunei Gallery at SOAS they can see and hear history documented before them – it’s a much more interactive experience which often has far more impact.”

Labibah Haque's 'God's Creations - plants, water and animals'

The next exhibition at The Brunei Gallery will be on Post 1979 Iranian revolution artworks. Recalling The Future will be running from 16 January until 22 March 2014.